Milwaukee Brewers

Date of birth: November 7, 1948 Redding, CA

High School:  Elk Grove HS (Elk Grove, CA)

College: Cal State-Sacramento

First Impression; This totally looks like a little league photo.

Career stats player: The second Buck on our list (this one is named John). I know that the Hall of Fame took time to warm to the concept of letting closers and DH’s in. If they eventually ever considered backup catcher, Buck might be a first ballot.

At best he could have been considered a split time catcher.

KC 1969 Ellie Rodriguez caught more and hit .236
KC 1970 Ed Kirkpatrick hit .229
KC 1971 Jerry May .252
KC 1973-74 Fran Healy career .250 hitter
KC 1975 He split time evenly with Healy
KC 1976 He split time evenly with John Wathan
KC 1977 He was behind Wathan and Darrell Porter
MIL 1978 Moved on to Milwaukee and split time with Charlie Moore
MIL 1979-80 Moore took over, more.
TOR 1981-1986 split time with Ernie Whitt

All Time Stat: His most games played in a 17 year career was 102 with Toronto in 1984 as a 35 year old. He logged 1049 games in 17 seasons (he didnt play in 1972). For his era, his stats were comparable to what was expected, mostly, from a catcher. He hit .225 with 58 HR and 321 RBI. Being an American League his whole career he hit in the 9th spot for the majority of his at bats.

Career stats manager: 100-115. He got a fresh start. He replaced Jim Fregosi in 2001 and the team started off very hot but in early May had a 6 game losing streak and the remainder of the season was similar with not a lot of highs or lows and they finished in 3rd in the AL East with a 80-82 record. The next season he was let go after a 20-33 start.

Fun Fact: He hit the most homers in his career, 7, against KC, the team he started with.

Ever a Future Star?  No

Rookie or final card? No, and he would have a manager card in 2002.

Hall of Fame? Number retired? N/A

Links to stories including Buck Martinez.